[西片] Batman 2 - The Dark Knight (2008)

[Raymondz]

Batman Sequel Title Announced
And Warners confirms Joker casting.
by Stax
July 31, 2006 - Warner Bros. has announced the title of the next film in the Batman franchise. The Dark Knight will be the name of the Chris Nolan-directed flick. And the studio confirms that Heath Ledger will play the role of The Joker. Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures, made the announcement late Monday.



"Chris' unique vision is what made Batman Begins such an outstanding film and we could not imagine anyone else at the helm of The Dark Knight," said Robinov. "We also can't wait to see two such formidable actors as Christian and Heath face off with each other as Batman and The Joker."

"I'm excited to continue the story we started with Batman Begins," added Nolan. "Our challenge in casting The Joker was to find an actor who is not just extraordinarily talented but fearless. Watching Heath Ledger's interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bale's Batman is going to be incredible."

The Dark Knight begins filming in early '07 from a script by Jonathan Nolan. Before they battle each other as the Caped Crusader and the Clown Prince of Crime, Bale and Ledger will first appear together in the Bob Dylan-themed pic I'm Not There.

In related news, The Batman-on-Film.com website reiterates the rumor that the next Batman movie will feature multiple villains, namely Joker and The Penguin. The latter will reportedly be reconceived for the film as "a British arms dealer/mob boss with designs on Gotham."

And who is said to have been offered the role of The Penguin? Nolan reportedly wants previously rumored candidate Philip Seymour Hoffman, who ironically beat Heath Ledger in this past year's Oscar race for Best Actor. Like Ledger, however, Hoffman is said to be reluctant to join the sequel.

Finally, a BoF report claims that Ryan Phillippe is in the running for the role of D.A. Harvey Dent, a.k.a. the future Two-Face. Phillippe appeared in last year's Best Picture, Crash, and will next be seen in Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers.

Keep watching IGN for more Bat news!